We live pretty close to Loyola and there are always lots of students at the places nearby on York Road - a smoothie/juice bar (always crowded with Towson and Loyola students), Starbucks, Vito's pizza, Chipotle, etc. The Swallow at the Hollow used to be one of the big Loyola hangouts but not sure if it still is. There are a couple of group houses near York and Northern Parkway that seem to regularly have parties going on. The mall is in Towson and easy enough to get too occasionally, but it certainly isn't some place that anyone would need to go on a regular basis. Charles Village where JHU is located (yes, it is safe) is just south and there are lots of food options there. That's one of the nice things about Loyola - it feels leafy and green but adjacent to a lot of amenities of a more urban area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How hard is it to get in?

Any chance for a 3.5 weighted with no test scores?

We just went to their open house and I'm an alum. They've been test-optional for years. Here's the GPA:

https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Loyola-University-Maryland-SAT-scores-GPA

Thx.

No clue what that means for 3.5 weighted from mcps though.

My kid wants a big rah rah football school in the south, but I’d prefer Loyola ;0)

Anonymous wrote:How hard is it to get in?

Any chance for a 3.5 weighted with no test scores?

We just went to their open house and I'm an alum. They've been test-optional for years. Here's the GPA:

https://www.prepscholar.com/sat/s/colleges/Loyola-University-Maryland-SAT-scores-GPA

How hard is it to get in?

Any chance for a 3.5 weighted with no test scores?

Got a freshman at Loyola.

Lots of students attend from NY/NJ/CT.

While small, it's a pretty campus and easy to get from end to end.

Freshman dorms run from mediocre to nice. I believe all rooms with 4 beds come with kitchen, DR, and LR, plus private bath.

My student seems to like the teachers.

My student also enjoys the rec center.

If your child wants the "full" college experience, Loyola does not field a football team. It's lacrosse, soccer, and field hockey teams play in an awesome stadium, albeit about 1.5 miles from main campus.

Lots of clubs. Lots of travel abroad opportunities too.

It's somewhat surprising that Loyola never made or aspired to make the Big East. Then again, not all Catholic colleges in the East are represented either: Catholic, MSM, Duquesne, etc.

As for the neighborhood, as others note, Roland Park is wonderful and safe.

Getting downtown, most freshmen use Uber/Lyft, although transit busses are available...and substantially cheaper.

Loyola is close to Amtrak and BWI, making it convenient to travel by train or plane.

Here’s info on what shuttle runs Loyola offers, as expected, covers grocery stores plus more. https://thegreyhound.org/site/2020/01/26/getting-off-campus-within-budget/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Might be a crazy question, we went up to see the school — loved the look and size, very green campus. But where do the students shop? We didn’t see a Target or grocery store nearby or much retail/services other than that strip with Miss Shirley’s and the smoothie place?

Target is in Towson so maybe 10-15 minutes away. Ditto for Walmart. The nearest grocery store is near the Rotunda which is maybe 5-8 minutes. Amazon is what I would tell my kid to use.

There’s a Giant within 5 minutes near a ton of fast casual places (Panera, Chipotle, etc). Always a ton of college kids there.

5 minutes drive. There’s also two Eddie’s market pretty close, also a 5 minute or so drive.l. Hopkins offered a shuttle for undergrads to close grocery stores, I would expect Loyola offer something similar. Worth looking into.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Might be a crazy question, we went up to see the school — loved the look and size, very green campus. But where do the students shop? We didn’t see a Target or grocery store nearby or much retail/services other than that strip with Miss Shirley’s and the smoothie place?

Target is in Towson so maybe 10-15 minutes away. Ditto for Walmart. The nearest grocery store is near the Rotunda which is maybe 5-8 minutes. Amazon is what I would tell my kid to use.

There’s a Giant within 5 minutes near a ton of fast casual places (Panera, Chipotle, etc). Always a ton of college kids there.

Anonymous wrote:Might be a crazy question, we went up to see the school — loved the look and size, very green campus. But where do the students shop? We didn’t see a Target or grocery store nearby or much retail/services other than that strip with Miss Shirley’s and the smoothie place?

If you are looking for a nice, green suburban campus that is Jesuit like Loyola but has a shuttle running to the Target up the road, check out St. Joseph’s University (aka St. Joe’s) in Philadelphia.

Anonymous wrote:Might be a crazy question, we went up to see the school — loved the look and size, very green campus. But where do the students shop? We didn’t see a Target or grocery store nearby or much retail/services other than that strip with Miss Shirley’s and the smoothie place?

Target is in Towson so maybe 10-15 minutes away. Ditto for Walmart. The nearest grocery store is near the Rotunda which is maybe 5-8 minutes. Amazon is what I would tell my kid to use.

Anonymous wrote:Might be a crazy question, we went up to see the school — loved the look and size, very green campus. But where do the students shop? We didn’t see a Target or grocery store nearby or much retail/services other than that strip with Miss Shirley’s and the smoothie place?

There are plenty of grocery stores in the local area but not walkable (other than smaller stores). You would likely need a car/Uber for shopping like that.

Might be a crazy question, we went up to see the school — loved the look and size, very green campus. But where do the students shop? We didn’t see a Target or grocery store nearby or much retail/services other than that strip with Miss Shirley’s and the smoothie place?

Map of murders in Baltimore so you can see where to avoid.

https://homicides.news.baltimoresun.com/?range=2021

My daughter applied and was excepted there and it was absolutely the most personal acceptance she got, with her personalized video. Of course I’m sure they figured out how to do that but I thought it was so well done. She did not end up going there but just for what it’s worth

I didn't go there, but as a speech pathologist I have heard good things about their speech program (if your child is interested in that).